For anyone who is looking for a period piece with style and substance, “The Tudors” is the show for you. The costumes. The architecture. The badassness of it all. Don’t get it twisted: The Tudors were straight gangster. 

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Where To Watch: Showtime Now, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Starz Play, YouTube TV, Sling TV, fuboTV

The Tudors captures the life, relationships, politics, and opulence of King Henry VIII, one of history’s most notorious badly-behaved rulers. King Henry VIII reigned for nearly 40 years (1509-1547) and remains to this day one of England’s most captivating rulers. If Henry were alive today, he and his six wives would certainly be on the top of the gossip radar. 

Critics will argue that this series is not historically accurate. While the writers did take some creative liberties, the overall narrative is generally historically accurate. If you want to watch the show as we did, google the historical figures and events. You will find yourself in a Tudor rabbit hole (and learn a lot…our Jeopardy game is much improved). It’s the finest form of edutainment.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ portrayal of King Henry is a powerful one. While he does not physically resemble King Henry (who was a portly man with his iconic red hair), Rhys Meyers captures the essence of the man. He channels the entitled, narcissistic, haughty, and arrogant monarch. It is Rhys’ incarnation that has acquainted Henry VIII with a new generation. That he doesn’t physically mirror the King is irrelevant. He channels the soul of the man in a way that makes him the modern equivalent.

The political backstabbing and social deception are what life in the royal court was like. This was a high-stakes world where courtiers gambled for power and played for a position inside Henry’s inner circle. One wrong step or perceived slight by anyone in Henry’s court left them being tried for treason. The most unfortunate punishment was a sentence of beheading. In King Henry’s tumultuous court, there were no higher stakes.

Henry’s Six Wives 

Queen Catherine of Aragon

Years older than King Henry, Queen Catherine of Aragon was the daughter of the most powerful leaders in the world at the time – the warrior royals Queen Isabella of Spain and King Ferdinand of Spain. The arranged marriage was initially between Princess Catherine and Henry’s older brother Arthur to create an alliance between the two countries and maintain their stronghold in Europe. But when King Arthur dies early into their union, a young Henry petitions the Pope for dispensation to marry Princess Catherine himself, insisting that the marriage had not been consummated. Based on this information, they were given permission to wed, and with that, the riches of the dowry would remain in England.

Henry and Catherine had a seemingly happy marriage for 20 years. During that time, Queen Catherine gave birth to only one living child, Princess Mary. She was unable to provide King Henry with the one thing he wanted and needed most: a male heir to put on the throne to continue the Tudor dynasty.

King Henry suddenly becomes certain that Catherine did lose her virtue to Arthur, reciting the bible passage that states that any man who marries his brother’s wife will remain childless. As only the second Tudor to sit on the throne, having a son and heir was of utmost importance to Henry.

A devoted Queen, the people loved her for her piety and devotion. Little did they know that Henry had other plans.

Anne Boleyn

King Henry and Anne Boleyn had a seemingly tumultuous yet passionate love affair. After being married to Catherine for so many years and not producing a male heir, Anne seemed like a fresh start for Henry. Anne, a member of the royal court of France, was known for her sophisticated Parisian style and fiery temper.

The Pope, who at the time was being held hostage by the most powerful ruler in Europe, Emperor Charles V (also Catherine’s nephew), refused dispensation for a divorce to Queen Catherine, who continued to maintain that she never consummated her marriage to King Arthur, making her a Queen in the eyes of God.

This angered King Henry, who, after years of waiting for approval, decided to be the first royal ever to cut ties with the Catholic Church. Henry found the loophole: he created the Church of England, made himself the head of the church, and ordered his own cardinal to grant him the annulment.

It was pretty crafty on Henry’s part and showed how dedicated he was to marrying Anne, while many in England whispered that Anne was a witch who put a spell on Henry. No matter. Henry was undeterred.

The marriage between Anne and Henry resulted in only one living offspring: Princess Elizabeth, who would later become known as the famous Queen Elizabeth I. Again, Henry did not produce the male offspring he had so wished for. Also, growing frustrated by Anne’s attempts to sway his political and religious views, combined with her furious temper, Henry was growing increasingly wary of their union.

Henry arranged for an investigation into Anne to try and prove heresy and remove her from the throne. He had already met the even-tempered, supportive, and sweet Jane Seymour, and he was quick to want to marry her. He just had to get Anne off of the throne. Henry starts believing that she is a witch who enchanted him with her witchcraft. He is told by his courtiers that they found evidence that Anne was cheating with many men (including her own brother).

Henry had Anne jailed in the Tower of London and swiftly beheaded on the grounds of treason. He was now open to marrying Jane with no one standing in his way. Anne’s only legacy: Princess Elizabeth, who would one day turn into the famed Queen Elizabeth I. History continues to refute the accusations made against Anne, but they were exactly what Henry needed to get rid of her.

Jane Seymour

Anne of Cleves

Anne of Cleves is portrayed by the British singer/actress Joss Stone.

Catherine Howard

Catherine Parr

Henry’s final wife, Catherine Parr (Joely Richardson), is a suitable partner for Henry. A widow, Catherine has a calm and quiet demeanor that is expected of a Queen Consort to Henry. Well aware of the stakes of being married to Henry, and she herself not wanting to end up on the chopping block, Catherine Parr steps quietly.

HENRY’S CHILDREN

Princess Mary

Ever heard of “Bloody Mary”? Well, here she was before she became known as one of the most tyrannical queens in history. Her mother, the devoutly Catholic Queen Catherine of Aragon, was removed from the throne by Henry for not being able to produce sons, a requirement necessary to continue their bloodline on the British throne. Tudor’s control of the throne was won by King Henry VII when he beat King Richard in the Battle of Bosworth.

In order to marry Anne Boleyn, who King Henry believed would be able to provide a legitimate son to the throne, he sought a divorce from Queen Catherine of Aragon. When he finally won his freedom from Queen Catherine of Aragon, Mary was publicly labeled a bastard and was removed from the line of succession.

Princess Elizabeth

Princess Elizabeth was the only child of Anne Boylen and King Henry. Most of you know her as Queen Elizabeth I. Perhaps it was her mother’s death or her father’s multiple marriages, but when Elizabeth took the throne, she refused to wed. Her rule over England is famously known as the Golden Age.

Prince Edward

King Henry’s primary legitimate heir to the throne, Prince Edward, was the son of Henry and Queen Jane Seymour. Henry finally achieved his goal of having a son to one day take the throne.